Current Mention

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Nov 12, 1903

—An insurrection is in progress in Santo Domingo, West Indies.

—Theodor Mommsen, the eminent German historian, died in Berlin, November 1.

—Twenty thousand miners in Colorado threaten to go on strike, having received permission to do so from President Mitchell of the mine workers' union.

—Striking miners at Bilbao, Spain, blew up several public buildings in that city with dynamite, October 27, and the situation became so serious that martial law was proclaimed.

—It seems probable that Japan and Russia have come to an agreement regarding China, by which Russia is to have a free hand in Manchuria in return for a like liberty to Japan in Korea.

—Austria and Russia are bringing pressure to bear on Turkey in the matter of reforms in Macedonia, and insist that civilian agents of these two governments shall accompany the Turkish inspector-general through the country to call his attention to the reforms needed, and report to their governments as to whether they are put into effect.

—According to Secretary Wilson, of the government Department of Agriculture, it is impossible to exterminate the insect parasite known as “boll weevil,” which is causing great damage to the cotton crop in Texas. Secretary Wilson’s opinion is that this pest is bound to spread across the Sabine and Mississippi Rivers.

—Russia has reoccupied Mukden, which had been evacuated shortly before by the Russian forces, with the understanding that the evacuation was to be permanent on the fulfilment by China of certain conditions imposed by the Russian government. Russia claims that China has failed to comply with the stipulated conditions. It is rumored that China is contemplating war with Russia.

—The most noteworthy of the results of the recent elections in the United States, is the return of New York City to the control of Tammany. If there was a clean city government under the administration of Mayor Low, then the latest vote is a declaration by the majority of the citizens of the metropolis that they do not want clean government. Unfortunately there is much reason to believe that a “reformed” government is not likely to be popular in the larger cities for any great length of time.

—The Isthmus of Panama has seceded from the republic of Colombia, and at present appears to have practically attained its independence. The Colombian government has withdrawn its troops from the Isthmus. Very little fighting has taken place, and the revolution has been practically bloodless. The new republic has been acknowledged by the United States government. The revolution, if successful, will probably do much to hasten the completion of the Panama Canal. It is well known that the secession of Panama was aided, if not directly instigated, in the United States. A large quantity of arms and ammunition was shipped from a Louisiana port about three months ago, and after an unsuccessful attempt to land it on the Colombian coast, it was landed in Porto Rico, and there delivered to the Panama revolutionists. European powers accuse the United States of complicity in the matter, and it is reported that there is much talk in Colombia of war with the United States. A statement issued by Secretary-of-State Hay justifies the action taken by the United States government as being strictly in harmony with treaty obligations between this country and Colombia.